Something had to give Monday night at Truist Park, where the Braves and Yankees each entered on a nine-game winning streak. And that something was the Braves: Their run was snapped with a 5-1 loss to the Yankees, who extended their streak to 10 consecutive victories.
Here are five takeaways from Monday:
1. After pitching 5-1/3 scoreless innings against the Marlins in his return last week, Huascar Ynoa was solid against a much stronger lineup. He covered six innings, allowing three runs on four hits. He struck out nine and walked one.
“The important thing is that I feel good and I’m healthy,” Ynoa said via team interpreter Franco Garcia. “We didn’t get the result that we wanted, but it’s just an experience where you have to roll with the punches and learn from it.”
In his first two outings back, Ynoa has allowed three runs on seven hits over 11-1/3 innings. He’s struck out 13 and walked two.
“I thought he was really good,” manager Brian Snitker said.. “It was good he got that last out (in the sixth) too. With him, we’re still trying to get him into game shape. This was another step in the right direction for him. I thought the stuff was really good. ... We got him stretched out a little more. He’ll get into game shape with the intensity, adrenaline. It’s just his second game back. He’s been really, really good in my opinion.”
2. The Yankees possess one of the few offensive arsenals that can match the Braves. And it was Giancarlo Stanton, a former Marlin who did his share of damage against the Braves, who gave Ynoa problems. Stanton blasted a mammoth homer off Ynoa in the second frame. He ripped a double to left in the sixth with two outs that scored two Yankees and broke a 1-1 tie.
Stanton went 2-for-3 with three RBIs. His 119.2-mph double was the hardest-hit ball in Truist Park history, per StatCast.
“They’re a strong lineup,” Ynoa said of the Yankees. “Top to bottom, everybody can hit. It’s a challenge every inning. You have to execute your pitches and throw strikes. That’s the mentality you have to have, focus in and give 100%.”
3. The Braves helped set up the Yankees’ offense. Three of New York’s five runs came from free baserunners. Ynoa hit a batter and walked Joey Gallo before Stanton’s double that scored both. Reliever Edgar Santana allowed a single and walked two before he was lifted for Jesse Chavez. Gary Sanchez’s single scored two, including one of the walked batters.
4. Shortstop Dansby Swanson smacked a solo home run off lefty Jordan Montgomery in the second inning. It was Swanson’s fifth homer in 10 games and 25th homer overall, trailing only San Diego’s Fernando Tatis Jr. (34) among shortstops. He provided the lone bit of offense for the Braves, whose streak of 18 consecutive games with two or more runs scored was snapped.
Swanson’s second-half production has been a significant reason the Braves sit atop their division after months of futility. He was hitting .324/.375/.583 over 35 games since the All-Star break entering the night. He’s added nine doubles and 10 homers in his last 36 contests.
5. Monday’s game, attended by over 39,000 fans, was a rarity. It was the first time since Sept. 7, 1901, that two teams carried winning streaks of at least nine games into the matchup, according to Elias. In the prior game, the Pirates, on a 10-game streak, lost to the Phillies, who entered with a nine-game run.
Stat to know
4-13 (The Braves are 4-13 against the Yankees in Atlanta.)
Quotable
“These games will continue to shape us for what’s ahead. In order to be the best, you have to beat the best. We enjoy competing against the better teams in the league for sure.” – Swanson on the Braves’ upcoming schedule, which includes the Yankees, Giants and Dodgers
Soroka on the mic
Braves starter Mike Soroka, sidelined by his second Achilles tear in the past year, was part of Bally Sports’ broadcast Monday. Soroka discussed his latest comeback bid earlier in the day.
Up next
The Braves and Yankees finish their two-game series Tuesday when Charlie Morton (12-4, 3.47) opposes lefty Andrew Heaney (8-8, 5.51), whom the Yankees acquired from the Angels at the trade deadline.
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